Aerospace Studies

The United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) provides the men and women of Baylor University with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for careers as professional Air Force and Space Force officers in a 3- to 4-year education program. (Abbreviated education programs may exist for qualified candidates.) Contact afrotc@baylor.edu to inquire about any of the traditional or abbreviated education programs or for more information about scholarship opportunities.

Students actively pursuing a commission as an officer in the United States Air Force and the United States Space Force are classified as cadets. Participation in the cadet corps is voluntary for eligible students. Furthermore, enrollment in AFROTC does not obligate cadets for military service unless an AFROTC Contract is in place (by scholarship or entering the Professional Officer Course). As members of the cadet corps, cadets attend both academic and Leadership Laboratory sessions. The academic courses are taught by active-duty Air Force and Space Force officers. The laboratory courses are designed as leadership practicums for cadets to gain experience in various administrative/leadership positions and to better understand the operational positions of responsibility within the cadet corps.

Baylor students who are not pursuing a career as an Air Force and/or Space Force officer may take the academic courses for credit, but cannot enroll in the Leadership Laboratory. There is no military service obligation for academic only students.

Aerospace Studies courses are taken concurrently with other degree programs. No degree is offered in Aerospace Studies, but up to 24 semester hours may be earned in Aerospace Studies over the 4-year period.

General Military Course (GMC)

Academic courses AS 1101 Heritage and Values I, AS 1102 Heritage and Values II, AS 2103 Team and Leadership Fundamentals I, and AS 2104 Team and Leadership Fundamentals II are collectively referred to as the General Military Course and have Leadership Laboratory co-requisites for cadets. The GMC concentrates on two major themes:

Air Force Heritage and Values and
Team and Leadership Fundamentals.

Students will survey the basic characteristics, missions, and organization of the Air Force and Space Force and the basics of team leadership. Cadets who begin AFROTC with an expectation to complete the program and their baccalaureate degree in less than 4 years may concurrently take AS 1101 Heritage and Values I and AS 2103 Team and Leadership Fundamentals I or AS 1102 Heritage and Values II and AS 2104 Team and Leadership Fundamentals II in order to preserve at least 2 full years in the Professional Officer Course.

Field Training (FT)

Eligible cadets compete on a nationwide basis to attend FT during the summer months at an Air Force training site. Students typically compete for an FT Enrollment Allocation during the spring of their sophomore year and attend FT that summer. Successful completion of FT enables students to enroll in the Professional Officer Course.

Professional Officer Course (POC)

Academic courses AS 3301 Leading People and Communicating Effectively I, AS 3302 Leading People and Communicating Effectively II, AS 4301 National Security, and AS 4302 Preparation for Commissioning classes are collectively referred to as the Professional Officer Course and have Leadership Laboratory co-requisites for cadets. The POC concentrates on two major themes:

Leading People and Effective Communication and
National Security/Leadership Responsibilities and Commissioning Preparation.

Students will learn advanced skills in management and leadership and will be provided the foundation to understand the role of military officers in American society. For cadets, successful completion of the POC and a baccalaureate degree results in commissioning as an Air Force or Space Force second lieutenant and a call to extended active duty (i.e. full-time military service) within 365 days of the commissioning date.

Leadership Laboratory (LLAB)

Laboratory courses AS 1111 Leadership Laboratory, AS 1112 Leadership Laboratory, AS 2111 Leadership Laboratory, AS 2112 Leadership Laboratory, AS 3111 Leadership Laboratory, AS 3112 Leadership Laboratory, AS 4111 Leadership Laboratory, and AS 4112 Leadership Laboratory are collectively referred to as Leadership Laboratory and are required for cadets pursuing a commission in the Air Force or Space Force. Instruction is conducted within the framework of an organized cadet corps with a progression of experiences designed to develop leadership potential. LLAB involves a study of Air Force customs and courtesies, drills and ceremonies, career opportunities in the Air Force and Space Force, and the life and work of Air Force and Space Force commissioned officers. Field trips to Air Force and Space Force installations may be included when funding permits. Physical training and fitness evaluations are required and may exempt students from the Lifetime Fitness requirements for some baccalaureate degree programs.

Aerospace Studies (AS)

AS 1101 Heritage and Values I (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 1111

Introduces students to the United States Air Force and provides an overview of its basic characteristics, missions, and organization.

AS 1102 Heritage and Values II (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 1112

Continuation of AS 1101.

AS 1111 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 1101

A study of Air Force customs and courtesies, drill and ceremonies, career opportunities in the Air Force and the life and work of an Air Force officer. An extensive physical fitness program is taught, reinforced and evaluated. Students under contract must pass a physical fitness test each term. Field trips to Air Force installations are usually included.

AS 1112 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 1102

A continuation of AS 1111.

AS 2103 Team and Leadership Fundamentals I (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 2111

Provides a fundamental understanding of leadership and team building in the United States Air Force, including leadership, followership, effective communication, problem-solving, and self-assessment.

AS 2104 Team and Leadership Fundamentals II (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 2112

A continuation of AS 2103.

AS 2111 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 2103

A continuation of AS 1112.

AS 2112 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 2104

A continuation of AS 2111.

AS 3111 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 3301

A continuation of AS 2112.

AS 3112 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 3302

A continuation of AS 3111.

AS 3301 Leading People and Communicating Effectively I (3)

Co-requisite(s): AS 3111

Utilization of cadets' field training experience to take a more in-depth look at leadership, with special emphasis on enhancing communication skills and their importance for a leader. Cadets practice leadership and management techniques in a supervised environment.

AS 3302 Leading People and Communicating Effectively II (3)

Co-requisite(s): AS 3112

A continuation of AS 3301.

AS 4111 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 4301

A continuation of AS 3112.

AS 4112 Leadership Laboratory (1)

Co-requisite(s): AS 4302

A continuation of AS 4111.

AS 4301 National Security (3)

Co-requisite(s): AS 4111

Pre-requisite(s): Upper-level standing or consent of instructor

Gives college seniors the foundation to understand their role as military officers and how they are directly tied to our National Security Strategy. Overview of the complex social and political issues facing the military profession.

AS 4302 Preparation for Commissioning (3)

Co-requisite(s): AS 4112

A continuation of AS 4301.

2024-2025 Academic Catalog